Submitted by: Dan Rich

Judge E. Spencer Walton

May 24, 1913 - Oct. 11, 2001

South Bend Tribune 10/12/2001

Judge E. Spencer Walton, 88, was a loving husband, father and servant to his community and his country. His entire life was dedicated to the betterment of others. His commitment to the Episcopal C hurch and his God was equally as immense. For all of us who were blessed to know him, he shall surely be missed. He was born in his home in the 100 block of South Spring Street in Mishawaka, Ind., on May 24, 1913, to his mother Sallie (Fish) Walton and his father, Leslie Milton Walton, a local dentist. He had two brothers, William F. and Milton Walton, who preceded him in death. Judge Walton graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1930 and later attended the University of Notre Dame for both undergraduate and law school degrees in 1935 and 1936 cum laude. During the Depression, he began practicing law in Mishawaka and became active in the Democratic Party. He served as deputy prosecutor to George Beamer in 1937 and 1938, and acted as city attorney from 1939 to 1942.

Judge Walton married Edna K. Moore on June 22, 1940, in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Mishawaka.

In the spring of 1943, during World War II, Judge Walton left his family to join the Navy and served as a communications specialist aboard the destroyer DD783 in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged as a lieutenant on April 8, 1946. Upon returning home in 1946 he continued to practice law until he was elected mayor of Mishawaka. He was re-elected as mayor of Mishawaka for a second four-year term in 1950. After being recognized for his leadership of the city, he left the office of mayor to accept the Democratic nomination for the office of lieutenant governor of the State of Indiana.

In 1954 he was elected as a judge of the St. Joseph Superior Court where he served this community for 26 consecutive years until his retirement in 1980. While serving as a judge in St. Joseph County, he was also very active in national and statewide programs. Judge Walton was awarded Indiana's highest honor, the Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Otis R. Bowen on June 20, 1975. He was also a dedicated and active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for his entire life since his return from World War II. Judge Walton served as District Commander, State of Indiana Junior and Senior Vice Commanders and State Commander of the VFW from 1951 to 1952. He served as Indiana's judge advocate general for years and was elected as national judge advocate general of the VFW in 1996. Judge Walton had many friends at local Post 360 in Mishawaka.

Judge Walton and his wife Edna had four children of their lifelong marriage, who were all born and raised in Mishawaka. His wife, Edna preceded him in death in 1994. Sally, Sharon, Suzie and Spence. Jr. all survive their father. Sally married Bill House, with whom she had a daughter, Melissa. Sharon married Carl Katona, with whom she had three children, Cristi, Cassi and Chad. Suzie married Bob Dennis, with whom she had two children, Matthew and Sarah. Spence Jr. married Debra Dennis, with whom he had three children, Emily, Allyson and Kyle. Judge Walton has one great-granddaughter, Kiera Nolen by T.J. Nolen and Cassi Katona.